complement 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-plə-mənt How to pronounce complement (audio)
Definition of complementnext
1
as in supplement
something that serves to complete or make up for a deficiency in something else with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in capacity
the largest number or amount that something can hold a full complement of sailors on the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

complement

2 of 2

verb

ˈkäm-plə-ˌment How to pronounce complement (audio)
as in to adorn
to serve as a completing element to this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complement
Noun
The soft gray-white rattan complements the tailored beige high-density comfort cushions and creates an airy backdrop for your ever-evolving collection of seasonal all-weather pillows and throws. — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 That number may determine whether Andy Reid retains a full complement of running backs and tight ends. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
The rich flavor of the root complements the other ingredients. — Michiko Tomioka, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 All workstations include sit-stand desks, complemented by private phone booths for quiet focus within the open floor plan. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complement
  1. supplement
  2. capacity
  3. adorn
  4. volume
  5. enhance
  6. real estate
  7. complete
  8. decorate
Noun
  • Key Takeaways Calcium supplements can help maintain bone health, especially for people who don’t get enough calcium from food or are at higher risk of fractures, like those with osteoporosis.
    — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The kosher-, gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free supplement has a 20-ounce volume (that’s about 28 servings) and promises to support skin, bones, hair, nails, and joints alike with its 20 grams of collagen peptides per serving.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of supplement
Noun
  • Talent flight across many ASEAN economies prevents them from developing the technocratic capacity needed for advanced technology and energy sectors.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The festival, with a capacity of 80,000 people, also was hit with mud and rain in 2023 as many attendees were trapped on its grounds, where vehicle traffic was temporarily limited and some hiked in the mud to nearby towns.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of capacity
Verb
  • The Star-Telegram watched filming from a distance and saw an all-black car with a camera adorned to its roof driving behind a black sedan and black SUV.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The delicate construction consisted of a high neck and long sleeves adorned with mauve silk bows at the wrists.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of adorn
Noun
  • Faster speeds generally mean a compromise in quality, multi-color 3D printers often waste some filament, and higher volume loads usually demand more hardware.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
  • As a more permanent legacy, the museum has produced companion volumes for each of the three itineraries introduced in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
    — Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of volume
Verb
  • Brady Corbet’s 2024 film The Brutalist was demonized for using AI to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and for using the tech to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having your franchise player, a future Hall of Famer, ask out in such a public way is only going to enhance that view.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhance
Noun
  • Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • All that hoopla results in a heavy lift for news networks and involves haggling over the real estate for anchor booths and transmission facilities.
    — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of real estate
Verb
  • Even after California erased a 14-point lead in Week 1, UCLA answered with 21 unanswered points to complete a 45-24 drubbing.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The first phase is expected to be completed in 2029 and will bring together at least 3,000 employees.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of complete
Verb
  • But a growing number of apartment decorating ideas now let renters change their walls without picking up a paintbrush.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Rooms are decorated with minibars crafted in Jaipur, flamboyantly upholstered chairs, Murano-glass chandeliers, and marbled wallpaper sourced and crafted in Italy.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of decorate

Browse Nearby Words

compleat
complement
complementary
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Cite this Entry

“Complement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complement. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on complement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complement

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